SUSPENDED Gaffney policeman charged in assault

Published: Tuesday, June 22, 1993 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 22, 1993 at 12:00 a.m.

GAFFNEY - A police officer was suspended Monday after he was charged with assaulting a woman who was fighting with his girlfriend.

Sgt. Harold G. "Butch" Fowler, 35, was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature after he surrendered at the Cherokee County jail about 2 p. m. Monday. He is accused of grabbing Susan Driskill of 201 Rodgers St. about the neck and placing her in handcuffs while trying to break up the fight early Friday, according to the warrant. Magistrate Jim Holland Jr. said Driskill was fighting with Fowler's girlfriend, whose name was not available Monday. Holland said Fowler, of 114 Dean St., Cowpens, went to Driskill's home shortly after midnight Friday to stop the fight. Fowler, who had not been dispatched to Driskill's home, removed the handcuffs after the fight and did not bring any charges against Driskill, authorities said. Driskill went to Holland's office Monday morning to seek a warrant against Fowler. Holland said he issued the warrant based on statements from Driskill and an unidentified witness, in addition to the police report. Police Chief Jimmy Scates said Fowler was on duty at the time of the incident but had not been sent to Driskill's home. He would not discuss the incident further. Fowler was released from the county jail late Monday on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. Fowler will remain on suspension until the city's Civil Service Commission can schedule a meeting to act on the matter, Scates said. Fowler, who has been with the city Police Department since 1985, could not be reached for comment Monday night. Monday was the second time in less than a year that Fowler has been suspended. Last October, he was placed on involuntary leave for two weeks after crashing a patrol car in Spartanburg County when he did not have permission to leave the city's jurisdiction. GAFFCO.P01

<p> GAFFNEY - A police officer was suspended Monday after he was charged with assaulting a woman who was fighting with his girlfriend.</p><p>Sgt. Harold G. "Butch" Fowler, 35, was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature after he surrendered at the Cherokee County jail about 2 p. m. Monday. He is accused of grabbing Susan Driskill of 201 Rodgers St. about the neck and placing her in handcuffs while trying to break up the fight early Friday, according to the warrant. Magistrate Jim Holland Jr. said Driskill was fighting with Fowler's girlfriend, whose name was not available Monday. Holland said Fowler, of 114 Dean St., Cowpens, went to Driskill's home shortly after midnight Friday to stop the fight. Fowler, who had not been dispatched to Driskill's home, removed the handcuffs after the fight and did not bring any charges against Driskill, authorities said. Driskill went to Holland's office Monday morning to seek a warrant against Fowler. Holland said he issued the warrant based on statements from Driskill and an unidentified witness, in addition to the police report. Police Chief Jimmy Scates said Fowler was on duty at the time of the incident but had not been sent to Driskill's home. He would not discuss the incident further. Fowler was released from the county jail late Monday on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. Fowler will remain on suspension until the city's Civil Service Commission can schedule a meeting to act on the matter, Scates said. Fowler, who has been with the city Police Department since 1985, could not be reached for comment Monday night. Monday was the second time in less than a year that Fowler has been suspended. Last October, he was placed on involuntary leave for two weeks after crashing a patrol car in Spartanburg County when he did not have permission to leave the city's jurisdiction. GAFFCO.P01</p>